10 Beauty Lessons from Motorcycles

by Liz Jansen

A motorcycle’s engine holds a tremendous amount of power—more than most of us come close to using. However, just because it’s capable of performing at a certain level doesn’t mean it always will. And it’s not affected by external decorations. 
We too have more power than we ever use. Using that power means trusting that it’s there, caring holistically for our being, making wise choices, understanding what blocks our power, and discovering how we can best access it. 

Excerpt from Life Lessons from Motorcycles; 75 Tips for Unleashing Your Power.

Beauty LessonsA motorcycle’s power isn’t affected by the paint color, customized graphics, or cosmetic accessories. Those things determine whether it’s attractive to your eye, but the power resides in the engine. And the engine isn’t influenced by body paint.

People come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. You can dress yourselves up with the latest fashions and accessorize to your heart’s content, but your spirit is your source of power, and no window dressing changes that.

  1. Avoid comparisons. Regardless of whether the comparison leads you to think you’re better or worse than someone else, it’s not healthy. If you must compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to an earlier version of you.
  2. Respect scars. Heartbreaking as it is when they happen, they’re visual reminders of mistakes. Every bike has a few dings and scratches that tell a story of lessons learned. While it’s not a good idea to intentionally collect them, everyone who has pushed their limits with the object of growth has a few scars to show for their efforts.
  3. Show off your assets. Features such as size, engine design and intended use, determine a motorcycle’s best function and differentiate models. You’re unique and you have a combination of gifts to offer that no one else has. Play to your strengths. While outward appearance can indicate your purpose, your true power comes from within.
  4. Be who you are. When you select a motorcycle, you assess its attributes to see if it’s a match based on your stature, riding style, skill level budget and personal preferences in color and design. By being objective and realistic, you find the bike that’s best for you. Don’t try to change so people will like you. Your own character will disappear. Be yourself and you’ll attract the right people into your life. They’ll love you for who you are, and you’ll love yourself more too.
  5. Admire age. Vintage motorcycles are revered for their simplicity. They have a way of developing closer relationships with their riders, and they prompt a very different feel and perspective than do modern motorcycles. This richness is created from the patina that develops only through time and experience.
  6. Refrain from judgment. A shiny exterior may camouflage a poor design. A neglected exterior may belie a powerful engine. You can’t make an accurate assessment of a person based on a superficial judgment.
  7. Accessorize. The options for motorcycles run the gamut from pure cosmetic to pure utilitarian. What’s important is that you outfit it to meet your needs.
  8. Customize. Accessories alone may not be enough to meet your purpose. You may choose special bodywork or more extensive modifications to fulfill a specific niche. There’s no right or wrong way to look.
  9. Value diversity. Imagine a world where the only motorcycle available was blue with a 500cc engine. How boring! Diversity not only creates interest, but each type of motorcycle serves a specific purpose. Like motorcycles, people come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes. Leveraging their strengths spreads positive change.
  10. LL_PowerCare for yourself. Motorcycles are meant for riding, and life is meant for living. While I prefer to spend time riding my bike rather than keeping it spotless, it does require a certain amount of care and maintenance to keep it healthy and happy. The same is true for each person. Caring for yourself respects who you are.

Appearance conveys purpose and attracts others with similar interests. It speaks to who you are. The more you try to be different, the more you look like everyone else who is also trying to be different.

Be yourself. That’s who you were meant to be. And there’s only one of you!

Purchase the entire ebook Life Lessons from Motorcycles—75 Tips for Unleashing Your Power available for any e-reader. $2.99.  Use coupon for 50% discount until March 1st

photo credit: bokapoppy via photopin (license)

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About

Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.

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